AU Hospital Fined $100,000 for Assault on Nurse

Hunter New England Health was fined more than $100,000 for violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act over an incident at its Morisset Psychiatric Hospital in 2001. A nurse was working alone in the hospital's courtyard when he was assaulted, requiring hospital treatment for his injuries resulting in a total of 17 days off work. The Act, similar to the USA OSHA general duty clause, requires employers to provide safe workplace for their employees. In addition to the fine, the Industrial Relations Commission directed the health service to pay the legal costs of the prosecutor.